Scott Cullen
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Articles by Scott Cullen
2025-2026 NHL Fantasy Hockey Projections
My 2025-2026 NHL projections are ready. Defensive hockey is thriving, believe it or not. While the average goals per game was just a shade over 6.00 last season - the fourth year in a row exceeding that threshold - it was also the lowest scoring season of the past four years. This happened even though the league's save percentage was .900, the lowest it had been since 1995-1996. So that means goal-scoring went down in a league that had its lowest save percentage in 30 years.
Have you remembered reward in your M&A project?
When undertaking due diligence neglecting any reward costs can lead to a significantly inaccurate valuation and even endanger completion. In the whirlwind of M&A activity, reward often gets relegated to the backburner. Focus tends to gravitate towards finance, synergy, technology, culture and operational models. However, neglecting reward during the early planning stages can have significant consequences.
Benefits strategies and policies to review for the coming year
In the Benefits Trends for 2025 Research REBA’s director, Debi O’Donovan, outlines why a clear view is key to mastering the three As: agility, adaptability and action.
Practical steps to prepare for the EU Pay Transparency Directive
As the EU PTD is set to unleash significant changes to the workplace, here are some guidelines to help employers get prepared. The implications of the EU Pay Transparency Directive (PTD) are huge. Most employers are currently not transparent. Only only around 20% publish pay, according to the KPMG Reward Trends Study 2023, and publishing pay data will create significant risks of: Equal pay claims. Motivation of employees. Non-compliance with the regulations and the consequences of that. 1.
2024-2025 NHL Projections
This year’s edition of my NHL projections is ready. With goal production ticking up in recent seasons, there are more players surpassing the 100-point plateau, with nine crossing that threshold last season. There were four 50-goal scorers, led by Toronto's Auston Matthews, who finished with 69 goals, the most a player has recorded since the 1992-1993 season. Thanks for reading Scott Cullen's Hockey Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Contributory Value
This article is featured in the 2024 edition of the Appraisal Buzz Magazine. Some other features we have in our magazine include Buzztoon comics, as well as crazy stories from appraisers and readers like you! Read all these articles and more in the latest edition HERE. If you want to make sure you are receiving the print version of the Appraisal Buzz magazine in your mailbox, sign up HERE.
What can we expect for total reward in the rest of 2024
The last few years have been challenging but what can we expect for the rest of the year? The last five years have thrown up non-stop challenges for businesses and their people agendas. What can we expect next? To try and predict this, let’s first look at what the macropolitical and economic drivers have been and their impact. Reduction in the supply of labour, driven by two main factors - a reduction in immigration since Brexit, and people leaving the workforce during and since the pandemic.
Do you need to pay for skills?
Automation, AI and data analytics skills could be behind an increase in salaries in the future With the rapid advance of artificial intelligence (AI) and the increasing automation of routine tasks and processes, the type of skills required by organisations is rapidly changing. With increasing demand for certain skills such as AI and data analytics, we see very significant corresponding pay premiums. Does this mean that employers need to start paying for skills going forward?
2024 PWHL Award Picks
This first season of the PWHL has been a great addition to the sports landscape. I’ve enjoyed it immensely and can hardly wait to see more. Thanks for reading Scott Cullen's Hockey Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Never mind what I think about it though. More importantly, I see how my 13-year-old daughter responds to it.
NHL Award picks, 2023-2024 season
I know it has been a while since the blog was updated. It’s not like I’m not writing. All season I’ve had a weekly fantasy hockey article on McKeen’s Hockey and I’m writing full-time for Pinnacle, so there have not been as many openings to dig into topics here. That should change, at least a little, now that the regular season is complete. Here is a look at my unofficial awards ballot (For the record, I don’t have PHWA votes for these awards).
NHL: CULLEN - 20 FANTASY POINTS - Season Wrap - Players who exceeded expectations and what we learned from them
Each week, I dive into the numbers to help make decisions when it comes time to make fantasy hockey decisions. This week, reflecting on players that were much better or much worse than preseason expectations and what we might learn from those seasons. Sam Reinhart, Filip Forsberg, Brock Boeser, Vincent Trocheck, Robert Thomas and much, much more! #1 Florida Panthers right winger Sam Reinhart was not some unknown commodity entering the 2023-2024 season.
NHL: CULLEN - 20 FANTASY POINTS - Lafreniere, Doan, Garland, Joshua, Zellweger, Cirelli, Mantha plus much, much more
Each week, I dive into the numbers to help make decisions when it comes time to make fantasy hockey decisions.
NHL: CULLEN - 20 FANTASY POINTS - Sharangovich, Zacha, DeSmith, Andersen, Benn, Guenther, Duclair and much more
Each week, I dive into the numbers to help make decisions when it comes time to make fantasy hockey decisions. This week, Yegor Sharangovich is heating up again for the Flames, Pavel Zacha is streaking in Boston, Casey DeSmith gets very important in Vancouver, Frederik Andersen returns in fine form, Jamie Benn is thriving with young linemates and much, much more! #1 It is not the first time this season that Yegor Sharangovich of the Calgary Flames has deserved the interest of fantasy managers.
NHL: CULLEN - 20 FANTASY POINTS - Guentzel, Hertl, Tarasenko, Kuznetsov, Toffoli, Henrique & More
Each week, I dive into the numbers to help make decisions when it comes time to make fantasy hockey decisions. Following the biggest moves ahead of the NHL trade deadline, including Jake Guentzel, Tomas Hertl, Vladimir Tarasenko, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Tyler Toffoli, Adam Henrique and much, much more! #1 Perhaps the biggest name to be available at the deadline, Jake Guentzel was dealt from Pittsburgh to Carolina.
NHL: CULLEN - 20 FANTASY POINTS - Logan Stankoven and Matt Rempe make their presence felt, Tyler Bertuzzi, Gustav Nyquist, and Scott Laughton pick up the pace and much, much more!
Each week, I dive into the numbers to help make decisions when it comes time to make fantasy hockey decisions. This week, rookies Logan Stankoven and Matt Rempe make their presence felt in different ways; Tyler Bertuzzi, Gustav Nyquist, and Scott Laughton pick up the pace and much, much more! #1 The Dallas Stars have been patient this season, watching Logan Stankoven rip up the American Hockey League in his first pro season.
NHL: CULLEN - 20 FANTASY POINTS - Quinton Byfield is making his presence felt, a surprising source of offense for the Maple Leafs, Columbus’ All-Star is scoring, and much, much more!
Each week, I dive into the numbers to help make decisions when it comes time to make fantasy hockey decisions. This week, Quinton Byfield is making his presence felt, a surprising source of offense for the Maple Leafs, Columbus’ All-Star is scoring, and much, much more! #1 Drafted second overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 2020, Quinton Byfield took some time to get up to speed in the National Hockey League.
NHL: CULLEN - 20 FANTASY POINTS - Juraj Slafkovsky is stepping up for the Canadiens, Shane Pinto is making his mark for the Senators, Vikor Arvidsson returns to the Kings, the Penguins lose Jake Guentzel, and much, much more!
Each week, I dive into the numbers to help make decisions when it comes time to make fantasy hockey decisions. This week, Juraj Slafkovsky is stepping up for the Canadiens, Shane Pinto is making his mark for the Senators, Viktor Arvidsson returns to the Kings, the Penguins lose Jake Guentzel, and much, much more! #1 Montreal Canadiens sophomore winger Juraj Slafkovsky took a lot of flak for a rookie season in which he finished with 10 points in 39 games.
NHL: CULLEN - 20 FANTASY POINTS - Sean Monahan moves to Winnipeg, Troy Terry is streaking, Jonathan Quick is earning more playing time, Nazem Kadri is leading the way for Calgary, Dylan Cozens is starting to heat up in Buffalo, and much, much more!
Each week, I dive into the numbers to help make decisions when it comes time to make fantasy hockey decisions. This week, Sean Monahan moves to Winnipeg, Troy Terry is streaking, Jonathan Quick is earning more playing time, Nazem Kadri is leading the way for Calgary, Dylan Cozens is starting to heat up in Buffalo, and much, much more! #1 The Winnipeg Jets dipped into the trade market to acquire centre Sean Monahan from the Montreal Canadiens.
NHL:CULLEN - 20 FANTASY POINTS - Lindholm and Kuzmenko are traded, plus Logan O’Connor, Ivan Barbashev, Adam Henrique, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and much, much more!
Each week, I dive into the numbers to help make decisions when it comes time to make fantasy hockey decisions. This week, Elias Lindholm and Andrei Kuzmenko are traded, plus Logan O’Connor, Ivan Barbashev, Adam Henrique, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and much, much more! #1 The Calgary Flames were likely to be a team to watch this season, with so many quality players in the final year of their contracts.
NFL Game of the Week: Super Bowl LVIII
San Francisco 49ers preview Kansas City Chiefs preview Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers predictions Super Bowl LVIII best bets Inform your NFL predictions ahead of the biggest games this season with Scott Cullen's Game of the Week. This week, the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers meet at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII.
NCAA football predictions: National Championship betting preview
Inform your college football predictions this week with insight from Pinnacle's odds. Two unbeaten teams will square off for the College Football Playoff National Championship when the Michigan Wolverines and Washington Huskies put their 14-0 records on the line in Houston. The Wolverines earned a spot in the National Championship by rallying to win the Rose Bowl, defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 27-20 in overtime.
NBA Predictions: This week's biggest NBA games
There is a four-team battle at the top of the Western Conference in the NBA. The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves, a pair of teams experiencing breakthrough seasons, are tied for the best record in the conference with matching 35-15 records. The Los Angeles Clippers, who have won nine of their past 10 games, are half a game behind at 34-15 while the defending champion Denver Nuggets are also a half game behind at 35-16.
Digital Capabilities & Emerging Tech Hold The Keys to Surviving Healthcare’s “Silver Tsunami”
The rapid growth of America’s senior population presents unique challenges for the healthcare industry. There are more than 56 million Americans currently over the age of 65, and approximately 85% of them have at least one chronic condition. Caring for these seniors accounts for more than one-third of all medical expenditures in the U.S. and nearly 40% of all in-patient hospital encounters.
CULLEN: 20 FANTASY POINTS
Each week, I dive into the numbers to help make decisions when it comes time to make fantasy hockey decisions. This week, a look at a new Panthers winger plus lots of early injuries including to significant players like Sebastian Aho, Gabriel Vilardi, Kirby Dach, Viktor Arvidsson, Matthew Boldy, Pavel Buchnevich, and more. That means new opportunities for others looking for a bigger role.
NBA Season 2023 Betting Preview
Celtics, Bucks, Suns among top title contenders Value plays and long shots in the NBA NBA Basketball expert picks & NBA season predictions NBA Championship odds The 2023-2024 NBA season tips off on October 24. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the new hoops year, including favorites and value plays to win the NBA Championship, as well as potential value when it comes to Team Win Totals.
Top 100 Players for the 2023-2024 Season
Discover more from Scott Cullen's Hockey Newsletter Hockey Analytics, Fantasy, Handicapping and Analysis Here are my Top 100 NHL players for the 2023-2024 season. Due to injury, I did not include Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy and it is difficult to know what to make of players who have missed significant time due to injuries.
NHL predictions: Oilers take 16-game winning streak into Vegas
Money line betting Handicap betting Total betting Player Prop betting Inform your NHL predictions with Pinnacle's updates, including analysis, team news, and the latest hockey odds. Coming out of the NHL All-Star break, there were a couple of games on Monday night, but Tuesday brings an eight-game slate, including a marquee matchup to finish the night, with the Edmonton Oilers visiting the Vegas Golden Knights.
NHL Season Betting Preview
Carolina and New Jersey control play at an elite level Kings offer potential value Flames and Jets are intriguing long shots Value on Team Point Totals The 2023-2024 NHL season gets underway on October 10. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the new campaign, including favourites and value plays to win the Stanley Cup, as well as potential value when it comes to Team Point Totals.
Major League Baseball predictions - MLB predictions
Inform your Major League Baseball predictions ahead of the World Series with Pinnacle's update, including analysis, team news, and the latest baseball odds. The main story going into the World Series is that there are two wild card teams playing for the ultimate prize in Major League Baseball. It must be noted, however, that the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers bring vastly different statistical profiles into the series. The Diamondbacks won 84 games.
CULLEN - 20 FANTASY POINTS - Klingberg getting a big shot, players due for regression from high percentages last season, rising young players like J.J. Peterka, Seth Jarvis, Oliver Wahlstrom, and more
Each week, I dive into the numbers to help make decisions when it comes time to make fantasy hockey decisions. This week, John Klingberg getting a big shot, players due for regression from high percentages last season, plus rising young players like J.J. Peterka, Seth Jarvis, Oliver Wahlstrom, and more. #1 Early returns from Maple Leafs training camp have John Klingberg working the point on Toronto’s top power play unit.
2023-2024 NHL Projections
NHL training camps are underway and this year’s edition of my NHL projections is ready to go. The NHL has seen a veritable offensive explosion in the past couple of seasons and that has pushed individual scoring totals higher. Last season, 19 players scored at least 40 goals and 11 players put up at least 100 points. A decade ago, in the 2013-2014 season, there were three 40-goal scorers and Sidney Crosby had 104 points. He was the only skater in the league with more than 90 points that season.
Penguins make a bold move to acquire Erik Karlsson
It was no secret that the San Jose Sharks were trying to trade Erik Karlsson and it was no secret that Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas was interested, so it should come as no surprise that Pittsburgh is where the reigning Norris Trophy winner ends up.
NHL Free Agent Forward Group Gets Late Boost
While this year’s class of unrestricted free agent forwards is not the most inspiring, some late additions, via buyouts and restricted free agents not receiving qualifying offers, does make for a more intriguing free agent period. Most of the big names on this list are on the downside of their careers, so while it might be fine to sign them, the length of the contract and the term involved will play a big role in evaluating any deals.
Orlov headlines a thin NHL UFA defense market
This year’s free agent class is not very inspiring, and that is definitely the case when it comes to the free agent defensemen. It is mostly a collection of players that will fit spots six through eight on an NHL depth chart. There may be about 15 free agent defensemen that would rank higher on the depth chart, and some of those players come with their own question marks, so this does not look like a year in which teams should spend big money on the blueline.
More Trades Heading Towards the NHL Draft
The NHL tends to get frisky on the trade market around draft time, but this season it appears to be more than that. With an uninspiring group of unrestricted free agents, teams are targeting the trade market to improve their chances for next season.
NHL Trade Season Getting Busy
With a suspect list of unrestricted free agents in the NHL this summer, it appears that the trade market is popping. In addition to earlier trades that saw the Columbus Blue Jackets bolster their blueline, more trades have started to come in. Here is a look at three trades that have already happened, with the acknowledgement that there appears to be a Philadelphia Flyers-St. Louis Blues deal lurking, and possibly a Pierre-Luc Dubois trade among those on the way this week.
Stanley Cup winner Adin Hill among pending UFA goalies this summer
Free agency in the National Hockey League can be a risky proposition at the best of times but when that is coupled with the goaltending position, that is a situation that is fraught with uncertainty. This summer, there is likely going to be some movement in the goalie market.
Blue Jackets overhauling their blueline
To the surprise of no one, the Columbus Blue Jackets have been aggressive about trying to improve their defense, acquiring Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson in two separate deals. Across the past three seasons, in all situations on a per 60 minutes basis, the Blue Jackets rank 32nd in shot attempts against, 31st in shots against, 29th in expected goals against, and 32nd in goals against.
2022-2023 NHL Awards
With the puck dropping on the Stanley Cup Playoffs Monday, here is a look at my unofficial awards for the 2022-2023 NHL season. Let’s start with an easy one. McDavid became the first player to surpass the 150-point plateau since Mario Lemieux produced 161 points in 1995-1996. Critics might point to McDavid’s 71 power play points (also the most since Lemieux in 1995-1996) but he was the driving force behind an insanely productive power play and that should not be held against him.
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Fantasy NHL Today: Year in Review: Second Half Superstars with Scott Cullen
In this episode, Blake and Scott discuss players that went off during the back half of the 2022-2023 NHL season. How did this happen? Why did this happen? What can we expect next season?? Is Juuso Valimaki the best Dman in the league?
Panthers vs. Red Wings Odds, Picks, Predictions: Florida Takes Playoff Push to Detroit
The Florida Panthers are closing in on a playoff spot and take a six-game point streak into Detroit for a matchup against the slumping Red Wings on Monday. Here's sports betting analyst Scott Cullen's top NHL pick based on the best NHL odds. A month ago, both the Panthers and Red Wings had playoff aspirations but they have veered in opposite directions since then.
NHL Odds & Best Bets Today: Schedule, Picks for Monday
There are five games on Monday's NHL schedule, with some crucial games as teams try to earn a playoff spot. Read on for our NHL best bets for Monday based on the best NHL odds. Time is running out for those NHL teams on the outside looking in at a playoff spot. There are three games on Monday's schedule featuring teams trying to climb into the postseason. The Pittsburgh Penguins have dropped three straight but still hold the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Hurricanes vs. Maple Leafs Odds, Picks, Predictions: Cup Contenders Meet in Toronto
The Toronto Maple Leafs will try to avoid their first three-game winless stretch since October when they host the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. Here's sports betting analyst Scott Cullen's top NHL pick based on the best NHL odds. Even though they are in second place in the entire league, the Hurricanes come into Toronto facing some adversity. The Hurricanes are in first place in the Metropolitan Division with 96 points in 66 games.
NHL Odds & Best Bets Today: Schedule, Picks for Thursday
Thursday brings an 11-game schedule to the National Hockey League, with many having playoff implications. Read on for our NHL best bets for Thursday based on the best NHL odds. With four matchups involving playoff teams on both sides, plus another handful of games involving teams that are still in the playoff hunt, there are significant stakes at play Thursday. In one of the night's most compelling contests, the Dallas Stars continue their road trip with a stop against the Edmonton Oilers.
Avalanche vs. Maple Leafs Odds, Picks, Predictions: Colorado a Tough Test for Toronto
The Colorado Avalanche are heating up as they head into Toronto to face the Maple Leafs on Wednesday. Here's sports betting analyst Scott Cullen's top NHL pick based on the best NHL odds. After a slow start to the year, the Avalanche are ramping up to defend their Stanley Cup title. With a 17-5-3 record and +29 goal differential over the past two months, including an 8-4 win at Montreal on Monday, the Avalanche are playing much more like a legitimate contender.
Capitals vs. Rangers Odds, Picks, Predictions: Two Slumping Teams Meet in New York
The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals had vastly different trade deadlines, but both teams find themselves in similar predicaments as they meet Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. Here's sports betting analyst Scott Cullen's top NHL pick based on the best NHL odds.
NHL Odds & Best Bets Today: Schedule, Picks for Tuesday
There are a dozen games on Tuesday's National Hockey League schedule, with matchups crossing the spectrum from contenders going head-to-head as well as lottery teams focused on the best possible draft pick. Read on for our NHL best bets for Tuesday based on the best NHL odds. The surging New Jersey Devils host the Tampa Bay Lightning in the most compelling matchup of the night.
Sabres vs. Maple Leafs Odds, Picks, Predictions: Buffalo Brings Battle to Toronto
Fighting for their playoff lives, the Buffalo Sabres face a difficult matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday. Here's sports betting analyst Scott Cullen's top NHL pick based on the best NHL odds. With losses in four straight games, the Sabres have little margin for error. They sit seven points behind the New York Islanders for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, and while they have three games in hand, catching the Isles will be a tall task.
Blackhawks vs. Panthers Odds, Picks, Predictions: Take a Shot with Carter Verhaeghe
Four points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the Florida Panthers host the lottery-bound Chicago Blackhawks on Friday. Here's sports betting analyst Scott Cullen's top NHL pick based on the best NHL odds. The Blackhawks continue trudging to the finish line, losers of five of their past six games and languishing in second-last place overall, two points up on Columbus. Don't be surprised to see "Connor Bedard" Google searches surge in Illinois over the next couple of months.
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